As the first month of our new year comes to an end, I am struck with amazement of the work God has done in all of our lives while here in Zambia.\u00a0 Dave and I traveled to Lusaka this week to submit the adoption papers for Samson.\u00a0 Yes, God continued to perform miracles last week when Samson’s father’s brother signed the forms consenting to his being adopted by us.\u00a0 What makes this feat even more astonishing is that he lives 12 hours away but “happened” to be an hour away last Wednesday and Thursday attending a funeral.\u00a0 After meeting with the head of Social Welfare and the US Embassy, Dave and I have a clear picture of what has to transpire before the adoption is complete by both countries.\u00a0 As far as Zambia, we have to continue fostering Samson for 90 more days while under the “pre-adoption phase.”\u00a0 We then go to court and barring any surprises (which we know there may be) the judge will stamp the papers and Samson will officially be a Stearns.\u00a0 This will likely take place the last week of April.\u00a0 After the adoption is complete from the Zambian side, the other 6 children and I will come home (probably the first week of May) while Dave and Samson will remain for another 4 – 5 weeks to complete the American side of the adoption.\u00a0 The American side doesn’t seem difficult, just time consuming.\u00a0 It is not ideal for us to leave without one another, but with the school term being complete and Dave’s teaching assignments done, at this point it seems to us to be the best option.\u00a0 Dave is hoping that during the month of May the Lord will provide unique ministry opportunities that will further expand the experiences he has had while serving here.<\/p>\n
I have had some emails wondering how we are all adjusting to this 9th member of our family.\u00a0 It has been amazingly easy.\u00a0 I 100% believe that God has been preparing Samson, as well as all of us, for years for this transition.\u00a0 Samson has expressed over the years his desire to go to America.\u00a0 Because many of the mission teams that come to Zambia are Americans, he has been around Americans and felt comfortable with them for his entire life.\u00a0 Having Samson age wise between Ella and Sadie Grace has also made the transition easier.\u00a0 Sadie Grace is thrilled to still be the baby of the family!\u00a0 Samson has a real easy going personality.\u00a0 He goes with the flow and doesn’t get upset about much.\u00a0 The few times that we have had to discipline him, he has repented of his wrongdoing quickly and taken the punishment in stride.\u00a0 He is an entertainer and has all of us laughing a lot of the time.\u00a0 David loves having another boy in the house.\u00a0 It has definitely made for more noise, mess, and horse playing.\u00a0 Dave and I were talking on the way to Lusaka about how God has completely given us a love for Samson that we didn’t know we could possess.\u00a0 Samson stated matter of fact to me the other day, “Mom, since my real mom and dad are dead, that makes you and dad my real mom and dad.”\u00a0 It was precious.\u00a0 He loves being a part of a family and has easily adjusted to our routines and rules.<\/p>\n
Lydia’s eye continues to get better, we think.\u00a0 It is hard to be sure of how much better it is getting without going to the doctor and having him test it.\u00a0 She can see out of it now, although still the vision is somewhat blurry.\u00a0 I am just so thankful that she is not stressed about it.\u00a0 She doesn’t get worked up about much and I am thankful for that.\u00a0 Lydia is busy teaching PE every day now.\u00a0 She loves the activity as well as the children.\u00a0 Teaching volleyball this term has been much more interesting than she initially thought it would be.<\/p>\n
Mary-Frances, Virginia and I are busy with homeschooling.\u00a0 I realized that the month of November was pretty “slack” as far as homeschooling because so much of my time was tied up with fostering issues and everything else that arises when living in a third world country.\u00a0 So, I have tried to be diligent and deliberate about my commitments so that they would not infringe on my responsibilities of teaching them.\u00a0 Mary-Frances really wants to go to “real” school next year.\u00a0 Dave and I have been praying with her about this and seeking God’s direction.\u00a0 Virginia would like to quit school, yesterday.\u00a0 And asks me at least twice and week if she can be done forever.\u00a0 Mary-Frances and I keep assuring her that she would not like to be grown up and not have learned all that there still is to learn.\u00a0 She tries to assure us that she is just fine with being “dumb”.\u00a0 She can’t wait to get back to High Point (the barn where she rides horses) and all of her friends.<\/p>\n
David, Ella, Samson, and Sadie Grace are in full swing at CCM Academy.\u00a0 The school has been such a blessing to us.\u00a0 The kids are learning a lot of Zambian songs and sing the Zambian National Anthem all the time.\u00a0 I need to be sure to teach them the American National Anthem when we get home!\u00a0 All the kids have new teachers except for David.\u00a0 His teacher moved up with his class when they changed grades in January.\u00a0 David was telling me all about the different parts of a flower the other day, and asking me what they were called.\u00a0 He then informed me about how much he had learned from Mr. Mweso.\u00a0 I am thankful that he is enjoying his teacher so much.\u00a0 Dave has been meeting with Mr. Mweso every Friday for about an hour and doing basic discipleship type Bible studies with him.\u00a0 It has been a fruitful time and Dave has seen significant spiritual growth in his life.\u00a0 This came about because of CCM’s commitment to making sure that their employees are walking with the Lord.\u00a0 It is encouraging to see how seriously CCM cares about the spiritual growth of it’s employees.<\/p>\n
I am doing well.\u00a0 I swing between utter contentment living in Zambia and deep desires to come home.\u00a0 I feel like my emotions are very much like Jekyll and Hyde!\u00a0 I continue to pray for contentment in the Lord and in my circumstances and am continually amazed at His deep love for me.\u00a0 When I first heard that I was going to need to remain (this is the way the Zambian’s would speak) in Zambia another month, I cried.\u00a0 But, I have been praying that I will trust God and seek to see what it is that He has for me here and what I can do to continue to minister to people during this extra month.\u00a0 I continue to be amazed at how healthy we have been and how easily the kids have adjusted to the different situations that they are daily thrown into.\u00a0 I know this is because of the prayer that is lifted up daily on our behalf.\u00a0 I thank you for your prayers and your love.<\/p>\n
In Christ,<\/p>\n
Shelley<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
As the first month of our new year comes to an end, I am struck with amazement of the work God has done in all of our lives while here in Zambia.\u00a0 Dave and I traveled to Lusaka this week … Continue reading